There is great interest in building an actual quantum computer. Many
strategies for building a quantum memory register are currently being
evaluated. The study of quantum computing is a relatively new field,
and the experimental implementation is still in its infancy.
Consequently the world wide web is the best place to search for
information regarding current research.

Note: This section has not been updated since 1999.

One possible way to implement a quantum memory register is by using
nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to manipulate classical fluids
to perform quantum calculations. To read more on this see:

http://www.sciam.com/1998/0698issue/0698gershenfeld.html

http://squint.stanford.edu/qc/overview.html

A second approach is to use ion traps and lasers to hold atomic ions
in place. To read more about this method check:

http://physics.colorado.edu/faculty/monroe.c.html

http://www.bldrdoc.gov/timefreq/ion/index.htm

A good place to look for original research papers is the Los Alamos
National Laboratories E-print archive at:

http://quickreviews.org/

This is by no means a comprehensive list of approaches to and research
regarding quantum computing. Given the changing topology of the web
and the youth of the subject you will probably be able to search for
and find a wealth of information on quantum computing from your
favorite web search engine or directory service.